"The Whole Gritty City": Meet the cast

Jaron "Bear" Williams

The kids and teachers featured in "48 Hours Presents: The Whole Gritty City" have all lost someone to violence in New Orleans - a city with one of the highest murder rates in the country. But they all find refuge, purpose and joy in the band room.

A beginning trumpeter, 11-year-old Jaron Williams, known as Bear, is trumpet section leader for The Roots of Music
Marching Crusaders.

Derrick Tabb

The Roots of Music founder Derrick Tabb is seen watching a
rehearsal. Tabb is also snare drummer in The Rebirth Brass Band. He modeled The
Roots of Music program after the middle school band he credits with saving his
life as a child.

Wilbert Rawlins Jr.

Wilbert Rawlins Jr., is director of the O. Perry
Walker High School Marching Band. Rawlins gives credit to his having been in a high school band for rescuing him from the
fate of his seven closest childhood friends, all lost to violence and drugs.

Jazz Henry

Brandon Franklin

Wilbert Rawlins, Jr. practically adopted band
student Brandon Franklin as his son. A saxophonist for The To Be Continued Brass
Band, Franklin came back to work as Rawlins' assistant band director at O. Perry
Walker.

Bruce Davenport Jr.

New Orleans artist Bruce Davenport Jr. grew up in the city's 9th Ward. Since childhood, he has depicted the scenes of crime, violence and prison that he observed around him - as well as the marching bands.